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Glite Dictionary
mesmerism

mesmerism

1 9.9
A method of putting people into a sleep-like state to make them follow suggestions
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm/
  • Archaic
translation icon : mesmerismo
  • During the lecture, the professor explained how mesmerism was once believed to heal ailments through induced trances.
  • mesmerism and hypnotism

So, you know, hypnotism or mesmerism plays a role in a lot of this.

Examples

  • Even in that state of mesmerism, I knew I was different.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • So, you know, hypnotism or mesmerism plays a role in a lot of this.

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • In the 19th century, many practitioners used mesmerism to induce hypnotic states in their patients.

  • The public was fascinated by the demonstrations of mesmerism performed at the fair, where people seemed to enter deep trances.

Synonyms

hypnotism
vsmesmerism
  • Specialized
8 6.7

A state like sleep when a person accepts suggestions

is the nineteenth century method focused on inducing trances
mesmerization
vsmesmerism
  • Archaic
9.9

An old practice that puts people into a trance using invisible forces

is the nineteenth century method of inducing a trance state

Surface Forms

mesmerism singular
mesmerisms plural

Morphology

mesmerism = Mesmer (semi-transparent) = mesmer + ism

Formed from the proper name 'Mesmer' plus the productive suffix '-ism' denoting a practice or doctrine; the relation is clear morphologically but the base name is not familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Mesmerism comes from the name of a doctor, Mesmer, who thought a kind of 'magnetic' force could move through people and change their minds. That's why mesmerism means a method of putting people into a trance or sleep-like state, and why we still say someone can be 'mesmerized' as if pulled by a magnet.